“Of whom the families of the children of Ephraim: according to those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible, and it recounts the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after their liberation from Egypt. The book gets its name from the two censuses that were conducted, one at the beginning and another towards the end of the wilderness journey. The verse you mentioned is part of the second census.
Tribe of Ephraim: The verse specifically mentions the families of the children of Ephraim. Ephraim was one of the twelve tribes of Israel and was the second son of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Ephraim’s brother, Manasseh, was the firstborn, but Ephraim received a greater blessing from their grandfather, Jacob, in Genesis 48:19. Ephraim eventually became one of the most prominent tribes in the northern kingdom of Israel.
Numbering of Ephraim: In this verse, the census reveals that there were 32,500 people from the tribe of Ephraim. This count represents the men of fighting age who were eligible for military service. It is important to note that this figure does not include women, children, or the elderly.
Joseph’s descendants: The verse also highlights that these are the sons of Joseph after their families. Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who became heads of their own tribes within the larger nation of Israel. The descendants of Joseph, including the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, grew to be numerous and played a significant role in the history of Israel.
Significance: This verse underscores the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their descendants becoming a great nation. It also demonstrates the growth of the tribes of Israel and sets the stage for the allocation of land in the Promised Land.
Overall, Numbers 26:36 provides us with a glimpse into the size and composition of the tribe of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel. It highlights the fulfillment of God’s promises and emphasizes the growth of the Israelite nation as they prepared to enter the land God had promised them.
